War of Will, winner of the Lecomte and Risen Star Stakes, was installed as the 6-5-morning-line favorite when an 11-horse field was drawn Saturday for the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 23.
Half his rivals are familiar foes, having chased him unsuccessfully in the Feb. 16 Risen Star at Fair Grounds. They include runner-up Country House, third-place Roiland, fourth-place Hog Creek Hustle, fifth-place Limonite, and seventh-place Mr. Money.
With apologies to the late, great Ernie Banks, let’s race two.
A series of unfortunate events at Santa Anita has resulted in split divisions of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes, with the upshot that the two colts listed as the top two choices on Daily Racing Form’s Derby Watch list – Game Winner and Improbable – have traveled to Oaklawn for a blockbuster card on Saturday.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The top Kentucky Derby prospects Game Winner and Improbable will lead separate divisions of the Grade 2 Rebel on Saturday at Oaklawn Park. The races are part of a program of four stakes that includes the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri, which drew Elate, and the $350,000 Essex Handicap, led by Giant Expectations.
Four-time Louisiana Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher will probably have a chance to notch his fifth winner in the $1 million race March 23.
Fair Grounds racing officials reported Wednesday that Pletcher plans to start Spinoff, and Pletcher in a text message said there was a “good chance” Spinoff ships from Florida, pending his work Saturday at Palm Beach Downs.
For all that he’s accomplished in his career, and it’s been a lot, Richard Mandella has had no luck in the Kentucky Derby. Not that it’s been a priority. After all, he’s only run six horses in the race, beginning in 1984, and hasn’t had a starter since 2004.
Improbable
City Zip–Rare Event, by A.P. Indy
Bred in Kentucky by St. George Farm and G. Watts Humphrey Jr. ($110,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase by Taylor Made Sales; $200,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Maverick Racing and China Horse Club)
Grade 3, $200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, 1 1/8 miles (synthetic), Turfway Park, March 9, 2019
(20 Derby qualifying points for a win, 8 for second, 4 for third, 2 for fourth)
Winner: Somelikeithotbrown, by Big Brown
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Owner: Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable
Beyer Speed Figure: 83
Grade 2, $355,000 Tampa Bay Derby, 1 1/16 miles, Tampa Bay Downs, March 9, 2019
(50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: Tacitus, by Tapit
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Owner: Juddmonte Farms
Beyer Speed Figure: 93
Grade 3, $300,900 Gotham Stakes, one mile, Aqueduct, March 9, 2019
(50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: Haikal, by Daaher
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
Owner: Shadwell Stable
Beyer Speed Figure: 95
